Golf divot repair and ball marker device with putter cover retention

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a (combination) golf divot repair and ball marker device with putter-cover retention. According to an embodiment, the combination golf device comprises a case, a divot repair unit, which is detachably attached to a side of the case; and a retention unit, which connects the case to a putter cover; wherein the case is configured so that when the case is inside a user&#39;s apparel pocket, the case supports the weight of the putter cover. Other embodiments are described and shown.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure generally relates to a multi-functional golf device, and particularly, to a (combination) golf divot repair and ball marker device with putter-cover retention.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventional ball markers are made to be inserted or otherwise attached to (and unattached from) a user's cap, (apparel) collar, glove, or an end portion of a golf club (e.g., putter). These ball markers are made with more value placed on ornamental and form aspects than on functional and user convenience(s).

Additionally, it is very cumbersome for a user to store, carry, or otherwise manage (conventional) golf-putter covers at every time during a game, and moreover, the covers have been facing problems of loss and contamination(dirt) when placed on the ground while use. Nevertheless, a suitable solution has not been proposed.

As to conventional art relating to a golf ball marker assembly, Korea Patent No. 10-1085306 (registered 2014 Nov. 14) may provide an example.

The Korean patent document is directed to a complex ball marker (for a golf game), which has a marker disc with a pin portion (formed thereon) to be inserted into the ground in order to mark the position of a golf ball and a bendably upright means to be insertedly affixed onto an outer/external periphery of the marker disc (to add visibility). The bendably upright means is a pair of bending segment(s) capable of being bent upright on both sides along the diametric line of the marker disc; the bending segments are characterized by a pair of half-ring or half-disc forms.

However, better design/form, configuration, and more overall functionality—and especially user convenience—are demanded of such golf device.

BRIEF SUMMARY

To meet the above demands and solve said and other problems, the present invention has been configured so that a user need not separately carry (around) a golf-putter cover; a user also need not be inconvenienced by the cumbersome act of individually putting in or taking out a putter cover from a bag during a game.

According to an embodiment, a (combination) golf divot repair and ball marker device includes: a case; a divot repair tool or unit, which is attachable to and detachable from a side or a surface/plane of the case to form a uni-body with the case; and a retention kit or unit, which connects the case to a putter cover. The case (e.g., its size, shape, weight, etc.) is configured so that it hangs or otherwise stays in/on the inner side of a user's (apparel) pocket and balances/counter-balances or otherwise supports, for example, the weight of a putter cover it retains or is otherwise connected to (e.g., when the putter cover is outside the pocket).

According to an embodiment, the case of the (combination) golf divot repair and ball marker device includes an insertion slot or groove formed on one surface/plane of the case, wherein the insertion groove is sized or shaped so that the divot repair unit may substantially be fitted into/onto the surface of the case. The case may further include a magnet located within/on the insertion groove for attaching the divot repair unit and a retention hole formed on the case so that the retention unit may be connected (thereto/through) to the case.

According to an embodiment, the divot repair unit includes: a body portion, which is configured to facilitate detaching of the divot repair unit from the case; and a divoting portion, which comprises at least one prong protrudingly extending from one end of the body portion; wherein the divot repair unit is used to repair divots on a ground when the prong comes in contact therewith, and functions as a ball marker when the prong is placed or inserted into the ground. The divot repair unit may further include a second magnet, which cooperates with the magnet on the case to insertedly attach the divot repair unit into the insertion groove on the case.

According to an embodiment, the insertion slot or groove on the case includes: a first groove portion, which is formed to fittingly accommodate the body portion of the divot repair unit; and at least one second groove portion, which is extendedly formed from the first groove portion, and to fittingly accommodate the divoting portion of the divot repair unit by accommodating each or all of the at least one prong in the devoting portion within the second groove portion.

According to an embodiment, the divoting portion of the divot repair unit has an area less than a plane-surface area of the body portion of the divot repair unit so that inefficient distribution or loss of force applied by a user is prevented. For example, the body portion of the divot repair unit may be wider in width on an end-side substantially opposite an end-side where the divoting portion is extendedly formed,

According to an embodiment, the body portion of the divot repair unit includes an anti-slip portion formed between the at least one prong when there are two such prong, or in a vicinity of the at least one prong where the prong initially extends from the body portion, so as to facilitate detaching of the divot repair unit from the case. For example, the anti-slip portion is formed to include a curvature, catering for a (user's) human thumb, and/or protrusions or other indentations.

According to an embodiment, the divot repair unit further includes angular and directional markings on a surface/plane to assist a user with angle and direction of a ball or swing, which may be attachable to a shaft or head of a golf putter for added functionality and convenience.

According to an embodiment, the retention unit, which connects the case to the putter cover includes: an extension portion, which is attachable to the case on one end thereof through the retention hole; and a securing portion, which is connected to the extension portion on another end thereof, and comprises a double-segmented or hinged pin, wherein one end of the pin is insertable into the putter cover and then bendable/rotatable around the hinge so as to be securely fasten within the putter cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, closely related figures (FIG.'s) have the same number but different alphabetical suffixes.

FIG. 1 shows a (combination) golf divot repair and ball marker device with putter-cover retention, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2A shows a (combination) golf divot repair and ball marker device with putter-cover retention, which is connected to a putter cover, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2B shows an embodiment of a retention unit of a (combination) golf divot repair and ball marker device with putter-cover retention, which is connected to a putter cover.

FIG. 3 shows a (combination) golf divot repair and ball marker device with putter-cover retention, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a divot repair unit of a (combination) golf divot repair and ball marker device with putter-cover retention.

FIG. 5 shows a (combination) golf divot repair and ball marker device with putter-cover retention, according to (yet) another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. These exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is thorough and complete, and fully conveys the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is also not intended to be limiting of the invention. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein have the meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs.

FIG. 1 shows a (combination) golf divot repair and ball marker device with putter-cover retention, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, a (combination) golf divot repair and ball marker device comprises a case (100), a divot repair tool or unit (200), and a retention kit or unit (300).

The case (100) comprises a retention hole (110) and an insertion slot or groove (130). The retention hole (110) is formed on a side, preferably near an outer perimeter or boundary portion of the case (100), and as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the retention unit (300) may be attached there-through (the retention hole (110)) to the case (100) so as to connect the case (100) and the putter cover (400). The insertion groove (130) formed on one plane/surface of the case (100) is sized or shaped so that the divot repair unit (200) may substantially be fitted into/onto the surface of the case (100). In this regard (and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3), the divot repair unit (200) may be insertedly and fittedly attached to case (100) to substantially form or appear as one uni-body with the case (100).

Some embodiments of the insertion groove (130) are shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Referring to the FIG.'s, the insertion groove (130) may comprise a first groove portion (131) and second groove portion(s) (132 a (FIG. 1); 132 b (FIG. 3)), which is/are extendedly formed with/from the first groove portion (131). According to an embodiment, the first groove portion (131) may be formed from an outer/peripheral edge of the case (100)). Also, the insertion grooves (130: 131, 132 a, 132 b) may be formed with a perpendicular or other angled wall so as to function as guide or railing when inserting or fitting the divot repair unit (200) to the case (100).

Referring to the FIG.'s, the first groove portion (131) is formed/configured to accommodate alignment and insertion of the body portion (210) of the divot repair unit (200) (e.g., from the outer/peripheral edge of the case (100)), and the second groove portions (132 a, 132 b) are both formed/configured to accommodate alignment and insertion of the divoting portion (220; having at least one prong) of the divot repair unit (200). (The “prongs” are to be described later in more detail.) Specifically, the second groove portion (132 a) in FIG. 1 may accommodate one or two prongs; but the second groove portion (132 b) in FIG. 3, only two prongs, as each prong is individually accommodated/seated within the groove portion (132 b).

The insertion groove (130) may be beveled (down) on a lower plane/surface on the one plane/surface of the case (100) (as shown in FIG. 1). Also, the first groove portion (131) may be formed inwardly from an outer perimeter or boundary portion of the case (100), for example, to better accommodate alignment and insertion, and seating, of the divot repair unit (200) on/into the case (100).

The case (100) may further comprise a (first) magnet (120) located within/on the insertion groove (131) so as to enable efficient yet secure attaching and detaching of the divot repair unit (200) to/from the case (100). The magnet (120) may be fixedly seated inside a groove, which is equally shaped and sized. The magnet (120) may (preferably) be button-like in shape but may also be ring-like. Further, (although not shown,) the magnet (120) may be disposed as a single piece or multiple fragments (circumferentially) along an outer edge or boundary of the insertion groove (131).

The magnet (120) may preferably have a thickness of 1 mm (or more) for maintaining optimized magnetic strength and structural integrity. The thickness reduces or otherwise prevents problems associated with anodizing process, for example, when used for the case (100) and/or the divot repair unit (200)). A thickness of the magnet (120) may be a factor in determining an overall thickness of the case (100) and the divot repair unit (200) when attached as one uni-body. In this regard, the thickness also enables optimized machine-handling and other forming aspects of the case (100) and/or the divot repair unit (200) (e.g., prevention of breakage, bending, etc.), despite a reduced size, weight and thickness of the case (100) and the divot repair unit (200).

The magnet (120) may be constructed, for example, of neodymium (e.g., for strength). Furthermore, the magnet (120) may be constructed partially of rubber-like material (e.g., flexible magnet slab or strip) for example, so as to function as a cushion when the divot repair unit (200) inserted or attached to the case (100).

The case (100) is shown in a circular/disk form; however, a shape of the case (100) is not limited thereto and may have other geometric/polygonal forms (e.g., rectangles, pentagons, hexagons, and variations/combinations thereof). For example, according to one embodiment (as shown in FIG. 5), the case (100) may be shaped to substantially resemble (a shape of) the divot repair tool (200), which is fitted/attached thereto and/or (an outer perimeter or outline of) the insertion groove (130) that is formed therein/on.

The case (100) and/or the divot repair unit (200) may be formed from metallic or non-metallic material. Preferably, the case (100) and/or the divot repair unit (200) may constructed of Aluminum (e.g., 5052 alloy) and be anodized for strength and durability. Conventional stamping method may be utilized, but preferably, CNC carving may be utilized for quality metal works, etc. Moreover, the case (100) may have a user or team's name, initials, manufacturing or organizational logo, trademarks, and advertising and other indicia, imprinted on a surface/plane thereof, preferably on a side opposite (to where) the divot repair unit (200) is disposed.

The divot repair unit (200) comprises a body portion (210) and a divoting portion (220). The divoting portion (220) comprises at least one prong (preferably, two, but may be more) extendedly protruding from one end/edge of the body portion (210)—the at least one prong is used to repair divots and other flaws on the golf ground/turf when the prong, for example, comes in contact therewith. Moreover, (the at least one prong of) the divot repair unit (200) may be inserted into or otherwise laid/placed on the ground so as to function as a ball marker. The case (100), with or without the divot repair unit (200) attached, may also function as a ball marker.

As shown in FIG. 1, (end and longitudinal portions of) the at least one prong of the divoting portion (220) may be generally linearly formed (e.g., to be blade-like, sword-like, shovel-like, or sled-runner-like, or even rake-like), for example, so that the divot repair unit (200) may be easily inserted into the ground/turf. In this regard, thickness and/or width of the at least one prong may be narrowed, or tapered, toward endpoint of the prong, away from the body portion (210), (e.g., trapezoidal or roughly triangular, for example, as shown in FIG. 1). The endpoint may also be pointed, sharpened, chiseled or beveled (e.g., as shown in FIG. 5), for example for ease of insertion into a ground/turf.

Further, the divoting portion (220) may have a/an (surface) area that is smaller than that of the body portion (210) of the divot repair unit (200) so as to prevent or reduce inefficient dispersion or loss of force/energy applied when the divot repair unit (200) is used to repair divots. In this regard, the body portion (210) may be wide on one end/side (in terms of width) and be narrower or (gradually) tapered on the other side where the divoting portion (220) is disposed (as described above). This configuration also allows for better grip when attaching or detaching the divot repair unit (200) to the case (100).

The divot repair unit (200) may further comprise a (second) magnet (230), which is disposed preferably within the body portion (210). The second magnet (230) may magnetically cooperate with the first magnet (120) located or disposed within/on the case (100) to facilitate aligning and inserting/fitting of the divot repair unit (200) into the insertion groove (130) in/on the case (100), as well as overall attaching/detaching of the divot repair unit (200) thereto/from. Also, the second magnet (230) may have one or more characteristics and features of the (first) magnet (120) of the case (100), as described earlier.

FIG. 2A shows a (combination) golf divot repair and ball marker device with putter-cover retention, which is connected to a putter cover, according to an embodiment. FIG. 2B((a)-(c)) shows an embodiment of a retention unit of a (combination) golf divot repair and ball marker device with putter-cover retention, which is connected to a putter cover.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the retention unit (300) may be attached to the case (100) through the retention hole (110) on one end and to the putter cover (400) at another end. The case (100) (e.g., its size, shape, weight, etc.) is configured so that it hangs or otherwise stays in/on the inner side of a user's (apparel) pocket and balances/counter-balances or otherwise supports, for example, the weight of the putter cover (400) it retains or is otherwise connected to (e.g., when the putter cover is outside the pocket). This configuration enables safe/secure keeping of the golf divot and repair and ball marker device (within the pocket), as well as preventing loss and damage to the putter cover, which is retained by the device, for example, as the device also functions as a key/accessory fob.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the retention unit (300) may comprise an extension portion (310) and a securing portion (320) connected at an end thereof. The extension portion (310) may, for example, be a string, chain, band or ring (shown in FIG. 2B), so as to be connected to the case (100) (through the retention hole (110). The securing portion (320) may, for example, be an (alligator or buckle) clip (in FIG. 2A), hook, or (apparel) button/loop.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the securing portion (320) may comprise a double-linkaged or hinged pin (321, 322, collectively), wherein one end of the pin (321) may be inserted into a putter cover (400) and then bent/rotated around the hinge so as to be securely fastened within the putter cover (400).

As shown in FIG. 2B (in conjunction with FIG. 2A), the securing portion (320) comprises a first pin portion (321) and a second pin portion (322), which is hingeably attached to approximately a mid-point of the first pin portion (321). In use, as shown in FIG. 2B(a), the first and second pin portions (321, 322) both linearly enter the putter cover (400)—with the first pin portion (321), first, about half way through the second pin portion (322). Then as shown in FIG. 2B(b), the second pin portion (322) is pulled away from the putter cover (400) so as to rotate the first pin portion (321) with respect to (the hinge and/or) the second pin portion (322). Lastly, as shown in FIG. 2B(c), the first and second pin portions (321, 322) form a T-shape and function as an anchor-type hook, so as to securely attach to the putter cover (400).

FIG. 3 shows a (combination) golf divot repair and ball marker device with putter-cover retention, according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3, the body portion (210) of the divot repair unit (shown as seated within the case (100) as one uni-body) further comprises protractor-like and other directional marking (240) on a surface/plane (which is opposite the surface/plane having the second magnet (230)) to assist a user with angle and direction of a ball or swing. The divot repair unit with such markings may also be (magnetically) attached to a golf putter shaft or head for a similar purpose. Also, the (second) groove portion (132 b) of the insertion groove or slot accommodates two prongs of the divoting portion (220) of the divot repair unit. (As described earlier, each of the two prongs is individually accommodated/seated).

FIG. 4 shows a divot repair unit of a (combination) golf divot repair and ball marker device with putter-cover retention, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, the divot repair unit (200) may further comprise a grip or anti-slip portion (250) between or in a vicinity of the at least one prong—in this embodiment, an area on the body portion (210) between two such prongs—longitudinally/extendedly protruding from one end of the body portion (210), so as to facilitate detaching (and attaching) of the divot repair unit (200) from the case (100).

As shown in FIG. 4, the anti-slip portion (250) may be formed as widened or tapered outwardly (e.g., in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the divoting portion (220)) toward either/lateral side of the case (100), when the divot repair unit (200) is attached to the case (100). The anti-slip portion (250) may also be formed as recessed/concaved toward the body portion (210), for example, to allow for placement of a user's thumb/finger to pull apart or otherwise separate the divot repair unit (200) from the case (100). In this regard, this tapered/recessed portion in the anti-slip portion (250) may be formed as a partial circle or curve (e.g., funnel-like), which corresponds to an ergonomic curvature/radius of (e.g., the bottom, fingerprint side of) a thumb. Likewise, a distance between endpoints of the prongs of the divoting portion (220) may be less than a radius of the partial circle or curve of the anti-slip portion (250).

Additionally, although not shown, the anti-slip portion (250) may further comprise, for example, a plurality of wave pattern, cascaded (step-like) pattern, latticed (grid-like) pattern, or any variation/combination thereof. The anti-slip portion (250) may have a plurality of indentations or protrusions (as shown in FIG. 4).

Various exemplary embodiments have thus been described in detail with references to the accompanying drawings, for illustrative purposes (and) to solve technical problems. Although the description above contains much specificity, this should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments. The exemplary embodiments may be modified and implemented in various forms and should not be interpreted as thus limited.

A person skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the description/disclosure and that such modifications and alterations are within the scope of the accompanying claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A combination golf divot repair and ball marker device with putter-cover retention, the combination golf device comprising: a case; a divot repair unit, which is detachably attached to a side of the case; and a retention unit, which connects the case to a putter cover; wherein the case is configured so that when the case is inside a user's apparel pocket, the case supports the weight of the putter cover.
 2. The combination golf device according to claim 1, wherein the case comprises: an insertion groove, which is formed on one surface of the case, and sized or shaped so that the divot repair unit is insertedly fitted onto the surface of the case; a first magnet, which is disposed within the insertion groove; and a retention hole, which is formed on a side of the case, whereby the retention unit is attached there-through to the case.
 3. The combination golf device according to claim 2, wherein the divot repair unit comprises: a second magnet, which is disposed within the divot repair unit, whereby the first magnet of the case and the second magnet magnetically cooperate to insertedly attach the divot repair unit into the insertion groove on the case; a body portion, which is configured to facilitate detaching of the divot repair unit from the case; and a divoting portion, which comprises at least one prong protrudingly extending from one end of the body portion; wherein the divot repair unit is used to repair divots on a ground when the prong comes in contact therewith, and functions as a ball marker when the prong is placed or inserted into the ground.
 4. The combination golf device according to claim 3, wherein the insertion groove on the case comprises: a first groove portion, which is formed to fittingly accommodate the body portion of the divot repair unit; and at least one second groove portion, which is extendedly formed from the first groove portion, and to fittingly accommodate the divoting portion of the divot repair unit by accommodating each or all of the at least one prong in the devoting portion within the second groove portion.
 5. The combination golf device according to claim 3, wherein the body portion of the divot repair unit is wider in width on an end-side opposite an end-side where the divoting portion is extendedly formed,
 6. The combination golf device according to claim 3, wherein the body portion of the divot repair unit comprises: an anti-slip portion formed between the at least one prong when there are two such prong, or in a vicinity of the at least one prong where the prong initially extends from the body portion, so as to facilitate detaching of the divot repair unit from the case, and
 7. The combination golf device according to claim 6, wherein the anti-slip portion is formed to include a curvature, catering for a (user's) human thumb.
 8. The combination golf device according to claim 3, wherein the divot repair unit further comprises: angular or directional markings on a surface/plane thereof to assist a user with angle and direction of a ball or swing.
 9. The combination golf device according to claim 2, wherein the retention unit comprises: an extension portion, which is attachable to the case on one end thereof through the retention hole; and a securing portion, which is connected to the extension portion on another end thereof, and comprises a double-segmented or hinged pin, wherein one end of the pin is insertable into the putter cover and then bendable/rotatable around the hinge so as to be securely fasten within the putter cover.
 10. A multi-functional golf divot repair and ball marker assembly with putter-cover retention, the golf assembly comprising: a case; a divot repair unit, which is detachably attached to a side of the case; and a retention unit, which is connected to the case to attach to a putter cover; wherein the case comprises: an insertion slot formed on one surface/plane of the case, wherein the insertion slot is sized or shaped so that the divot repair unit may be fitted onto the surface of the case so as to form a unibody-form with the case, and a magnet secured within the insertion slot, for attaching the divot repair unit to the case.
 11. The golf device according to claim 10, wherein the retention unit comprises: an extension portion, which is attachable to the case on one end thereof through the retention hole; and a securing portion, which is connected to the extension portion on another end thereof, and comprises: a first pin portion and a second pin portion, which is hingeably attached to approximately a mid-point of the first pin portion; whereby the first and the second pin portions linearly enter the putter cover, with the first pin portion first, about half way through the second pin portion, then the second pin portion is pulled away from the putter cover so as to rotate the first pin portion with respect to the hinge around the second pin portion, and then the first and second pin portions form a T-shape and function as an anchor-type hook, so as to securely attach the extension portion to the putter cover.
 12. The golf assembly according to claim 11, wherein the extension portion is one of a string, chain, band or ring, and the securing portion is one of a clip, buckle, or hoop.
 13. The golf assembly according to claim 10, wherein the divot repair unit comprises: a body portion, formed with an outer edge line corresponding to a portion of an outer boundary of the case when the divot repair unit is attached to the case; and a divoting portion, comprising at least one prong extendedly protruding from an area on an inner edge of the body portion generally opposite the outer edge of the body portion.
 14. The golf assembly according to claim 13, wherein the insertion slot on the case comprises: a first slot portion for accommodating fitting of the body portion of the divot repair; and at least one second slot portions for each accommodating fitting of each of the at least one prong of the divoting portion of the divot repair unit; wherein one or more of the first and second slot portions are formed with a wall, from the outer boundary of the case inwardly toward a center of the case so as to guide fitting of the divot repair unit.
 15. The golf assembly according to claim 13, wherein the divoting portion of the divot repair unit has an area less than a plane-surface area of the body portion of the divot repair unit for efficient distribution of divoting force applied by a user and for ease of attaching/detaching the divot repair unit to/from the case.
 16. The golf assembly according to claim 13, wherein the body portion of the divot repair unit comprises: an anti-slip portion formed between the at least one prong when there are two such prong, or in the area on the inner edge of the body portion where the at least one prong extendedly protrudes, for ease of detaching the divot repair unit from the case
 17. The golf assembly according to claim 16, wherein a lateral distance between endpoints of the at least one prongs when there are two such prongs is less than a radius or lateral width of the anti-slip portion.
 18. The golf assembly according to claim 16, wherein the anti-slip portion is generally concave or convex in shape and includes at least one of a wave pattern, cascaded (step-like) pattern, latticed (grid-like) pattern.
 19. The golf assembly according to claim 13, wherein the magnet on the case is a thin slab with a thickness of at least 1 mm.
 20. The golf assembly according to claim 13, wherein the case is configured in size and weight so that the case counter-balances a putter cover connected when the case is inside a user's (apparel) pocket. 